Thursday, January 10, 2008

Early goal directed therapy: cost effectiveness and implementation

A decision analysis was published in Critical Care Medicine, using data from the Henry Ford Health System, Medicare, the U.S. Public Health Service, and the American Thoracic Society. Despite perceived expense and implementation barriers EGDT reduces hospital costs and saves lives. An ICU based model (transfer patient to ICU then begin EGDT) was the least effective. EGDT is best done by the emergency department or a mobile response team.